What is a Medical Abortion: At-Home Pregnancy Termination?

Medical abortion is a pill-based procedure to end an early pregnancy. Usually, Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills are used in a step-by-step manner to empty the uterus. However, you can also use Misoprostol pills alone to get the results. This method of expelling the conception products is conducive when the pregnancy is inside the uterus. Also, this process is feasible for a pregnancy within the initial 12 weeks of gestation.

Let us learn more about what medical abortion is, how does abortion pill works, its benefits, effects, and more.

Medical Abortion Procedure and Pills Work

Learn how abortion pills work in causing a natural miscarriage:

Role of Mifepristone

The anti-progesterone Mifepristone (Mifeprex or Generic RU486) pill is of 200mg strength. It sheds the implantation tissue (endometrial lining). This stops the pregnancy with the fetus, and the pregnancy parts no longer grow.

Role of Misoprostol

The prostaglandin E1 analog medication, Misoprostol or Cytotec, causes labor-like symptoms experienced during childbirth. Through uterine contractions and widening of the cervix, the pills help the pregnancy to be removed from the womb.

Benefits of a Medical Abortion and Why Women Choose It?

Here is why medical abortion is a preferable option to end an undesired pregnancy:

1. Medical abortion is a non-surgical or non-invasive approach to end the pregnancy. No requirement for in-clinic attention or a doctor’s intervention.
2. Wondering how much does the medical abortion pills cost? You can now buy abortion pills online for as low as $199 or even less, with safe home delivery. Both generic and branded abortion pills are available worldwide, giving you the freedom to choose the option that suits you best.
3. No need to wait in queues to get the medicine, spend on traveling, disclose your identity, or be open to uncomfortable questions from others.
4. It is a discreet way to end an early pregnancy by having complete control over the process. Even if you do not have a prescription, the pill provider online can help you get one.

What Happens During a Medical Abortion?

Know more about medical abortion benefits and expectations from the procedure:

Outcomes to Expect

You will encounter abdominal pain and cramps due to the contractions of the uterus. Also, there will be heavy vaginal bleeding during a medical abortion, with pregnancy tissues, fetal contents, and large blood clots purging out. This is how the pregnancy exits the body.

Common Side Effects

The temporary side effects of abortion pills are weakness, mild fever, headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. You can manage these effects with OTC medicines, rest, hydration, and other management techniques at home.

How to Take Abortion Pills at Home?

Here is the abortion pill dosage guidance:

1. Day 1: On the first day, take Mifepristone 200mg pill orally with water. This progesterone blocker is easy to consume. You can take the pill at home without assistance.
2. Day 2-3: After 24 to 48 hours of Mifepristone’s use, begin with Misoprostol 200mcg x 4 pills intake either buccally (pills in cheek pouches for 30 minutes and remains consumed with a sip of water), or vagially (pills placed in the vagina for half an hour as you relax, so the pills melt and go into the body).
3. After 14 Days: Once you finish the medical abortion pill administration, wait for 14 days. You can expect the pregnancy to end within 72 hours or more of taking the medicine. However, check for the pregnancy test via abdominal ultrasound for confirmation.

If you want to know about the difference between the medical abortion process and surgical abortion procedure, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Abortion

Here are some common FAQs about self-initiated medication abortion procedure:

How safe is a medical abortion at home?

One of the safest non-invasive procedures to end a pregnancy is a medical abortion at home. The success rate of medication pregnancy termination is between 95% and 99% when you take the abortion pills as advised by a physician.

How long does bleeding last after a medical abortion?

During the medication abortion, the bleeding continues heavily as the uterus is expelling the pregnancy. It reduces in amount and thickness once the womb is vacant. However, the light bleeding may continue for 4 to 8 weeks, but should not be confused with menstruation.

How far along into the pregnancy can I take abortion pills?

You can take the abortion pills until 10 weeks of gestation. Count the pregnancy weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. Or, get a pregnancy test through an ultrasound scan to understand the pregnancy location and weeks. Do not use the medicine beyond 12 weeks at the most.

Is medical abortion painful?

There is some amount of pain caused during a medical abortion because of the uterine contractions. You will encounter abdominal cramps and pain. However, you may take a pain-relief medicine (not aspirin, as it increases bleeding) to control the pain. Apply a hot water bag or a heating pad for more relief.

When to avoid taking abortion pills?

In certain circumstances, pregnancy termination pills are not appropriate. These include if you are on long-term corticosteroid treatment or blood thinners, with an intrauterine contraceptive device unremoved. Or, if there is an undiagnosed adnexal mass, severe heart/liver/kidney problem, anemia, uterine diseases, allergy to abortion pills, or chronic adrenal failure.

What are the medical abortion precautions to follow?

When using abortion pills, do not consume alcohol, heavy meals, grapefruit, too much caffeine, or overdose on the medicine. Restrict any physical and mental stress, exercising, driving, and venturing outdoors. Avoid the risk of infection by using large maxi pads for the bleeding instead of tampons or menstrual cups. Maintain hygiene around for comfort and safety.

What are the medical abortion risks?

The rare risk of medical abortion is an incomplete termination. If the uterus remains inside even after successful use of the abortion pills, you may need surgical attention to remove these leftovers. It is advisable not to try to continue an incomplete abortion as it can lead to life-threatening consequences.

When to seek medical attention during abortion pill use?

While medical assistance is not required in the majority of cases, it is advisable to keep a check on the abortion pill symptoms for precaution. For instance, if you soak more than 2 pads in less than 2 hours of bleeding, you may be bleeding excessively and require professional assistance. Or, if you run a high fever for more than a day, experience foul-smelling discharge, or other signs of infection, seek emergency care at the earliest.

To Conclude

If you are looking for a privacy-ensuring, convenient, and affordable method to end a pregnancy early, non-invasively, then medical abortion is an ideal choice. Order abortion pill online today, and access unplanned pregnancy management effortlessly.